Posted on Aug 24, 2016
What is the best military job (MOS/AFSC) to ensure you are highly employable once you retire or leave the Armed Services? Why?
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Before my enlistment selection I interviewed 100 Veterans in an attempt to determine what branch and position would empower me for the future. After much guidance, I believed the Guidance and Control Technician or Nuclear operator would provide great opportunities. Air Force and quality of life influenced my decision. Don't regret and recognize with time career opportunities have changed...
Posted in these groups: 
Civilian Career
Military Career
On-The-Job Training (OJT)
Leadership
Development
Civilian Career Military Career On-The-Job Training (OJT) Leadership Development
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 31
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You cannot look at the job you are doing in the military as something which you'll be able to turn directly into a career. Though some jobs have a direct connection to the civilian sector (military policeman comes to mind), those jobs are the minority not majority. As a veteran with deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan as bot a Combat Engineer and the Infantryman I recognized that my civilian jobs prospects were slim without completing college. What you need to do is view the military as a vessel to move you from one point in life to the next. Take advantage of schools which the military can offer you for free: Ranger, Airborne, Nonlethal Weapons Instructor (INIWIC), Equal Opportunity Leaders Course, SHARP, Victim Advicate, Drill, Recruiter, etc. These opportunities all put you in a position to complete training which civilians dream about and your experience with them will help you to walk into a conversation anywhere in the world (language permitting) and hold your own. As a result of pursuing such professional development you will also add depth to your resume beyond your MOS duty description.
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SPC Todd Rhoades
I agree, the military is either a stepping stone in life or a career. Your MOS will not influence your civilian career as much as your service record will. Certificates of completion and, man I hate to say it simply because most of us don't count em' while we're wearing them, but medals will influence civilian opportunity more. Employers want self disciplined, self motivated people that can think on their feet and respond to any situation quickly.
In short, it's not what you learned about your job that will give you the edge out here, it's what you learned about yourself.
Anyway just an old engineer's theory . Been tried and tested for 25 years and hasn't failed me yet.
In short, it's not what you learned about your job that will give you the edge out here, it's what you learned about yourself.
Anyway just an old engineer's theory . Been tried and tested for 25 years and hasn't failed me yet.
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SGT Jack Cooper
SGT AIRBORNE
Many military jobs don't exactly transfer to civilian jobs many give you a solid base to build on with college to match. I went to college at night for years. PT at 0600 Army Duty till 1800 then school from then till 2200. took a few years but ended up making 90 grand plus. Just keep taking classes and before you know it your buddies are having to re-enlist because they have no other options...YOU can get out with a smile and a fat pay check.
Many military jobs don't exactly transfer to civilian jobs many give you a solid base to build on with college to match. I went to college at night for years. PT at 0600 Army Duty till 1800 then school from then till 2200. took a few years but ended up making 90 grand plus. Just keep taking classes and before you know it your buddies are having to re-enlist because they have no other options...YOU can get out with a smile and a fat pay check.
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68N Cardiovascular Specialist is one of the best kept secrets in the Army. It directly translates into several civilian certifications that you can be reimbursed for taking through the Army COOL program. The pay in the civilian sector is great. The job itself is both challenging and highly rewarding.
The Army also has an agreement with National American University for those who have completed the course. After completing a few general education courses and passing two test you will be awarded and A.A.S. in Invasive Cardiovascular Technology.
The Army also has an agreement with National American University for those who have completed the course. After completing a few general education courses and passing two test you will be awarded and A.A.S. in Invasive Cardiovascular Technology.
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SGT Thomas Stratton
I was a 91b300y6, Which is now 68n. I agree with this statement, wonderful school, fun job and easy to find good paying employment when you leave the military. I worked as an electrophysiology tech when I left army.. started at 55-60k range, was then a cath lab manager 80kish, now a clinical for biosense Webster an electrophysiology device company and averaging around 140k, all without a college degree. It’s a very small and little talked about school, not sure now but when I went through in mid 90s was only about 10 students A year for the school which was at fort Sam in San Antonio.
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SGT Carissa Lara, RCS
It's about the same now. They've combined the school with they Navy CV techs and I think they do two classes a year now.
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Contracting is 100% transferable to a civilian GS position that is always in demand. The private sector hires them too.
51C in the Army, not sure what the AFSC for it is.
51C in the Army, not sure what the AFSC for it is.
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LTC (Join to see)
That is for people who didn't hold the MOS and have certifications. If you have the certification (requires a 4 year degree and additional training) you will be able to start at GS 11 or 12.
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CPT (Join to see)
You don't require certifications as you complete the courses over a 2 year period. You do require the 4 year degree and 24 credits aligned with business or mathematics. You are right if you have the contracting certifications from DAU or grandfathered military then you can start as GS11 or 12.
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Other than the medical fields, Air traffic controllers; they're FAA certified.
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I'm probably not going to continue as anything intel when I retire. Sure I will have the TS clearance and experience, but I think I would prefer some kind of employment outdoors. Such as Park Ranger. I don't even care if I get a very high paying job as my next career. Happiness is everything to me, as long as it pays decent and I find enjoyment with it most days.
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Besides the obvious: Doc, Nurse, Lawyer, Dentist, etc. Engineers, Architects, etc. On the ENL side the Seabee ratings are highly desired although EAs can have a tougher time at it. A lot of the support types such as cooks, financial, and logistics can translate well into the commercial sector. A number of highly technical skills on various systems, many of them classified, tend to wind up working for Raytheon or whatever contractor provides those systems. MAA/MP types tend to slide easily into law enforcement.
The most disadvantaged? Unfortunately trigger pullers in all likelihood.
The most disadvantaged? Unfortunately trigger pullers in all likelihood.
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SSG (Join to see)
Infantry is hard to translate to civilian sector. Let face it shooting people in the US is kinda frowned upon. However for infantry soldiers looking into post military service, check out the border patrol. It's about as infantry you can get ( without the trigger pulling of course) pay is decent and your military time can be bought back for a federal retirement.
You get to drive off road all the time, actually USE NVGs to sneak up on people, carry an M4 in case you end up in a situation with drug smugglers or bandits. Can hike till your hearts content, and can seize more drugs by yourself than any other law enforcement department ever will.
After 3 years in the patrol I was able to clear $85,000 yr.
The best part is details...you can join them for 1 to 3 years at a time, such as ATVs, Intel, Evidence Collection Team, Prosecutions, BORSTAR, BORTAC, Mobile Response Team, Ops Coordinator, Fleet Mechanics, and TONS of administrative details. ( Which are for " breaks" when you get a little worn down by the physical stuff) plenty of different things to bounce around in. It keeps things fresh, and constantly adds to your resume!
So yes we infantry kinda get the short stick on careers,but there are some great opportunities out there if you look hard enough.
You get to drive off road all the time, actually USE NVGs to sneak up on people, carry an M4 in case you end up in a situation with drug smugglers or bandits. Can hike till your hearts content, and can seize more drugs by yourself than any other law enforcement department ever will.
After 3 years in the patrol I was able to clear $85,000 yr.
The best part is details...you can join them for 1 to 3 years at a time, such as ATVs, Intel, Evidence Collection Team, Prosecutions, BORSTAR, BORTAC, Mobile Response Team, Ops Coordinator, Fleet Mechanics, and TONS of administrative details. ( Which are for " breaks" when you get a little worn down by the physical stuff) plenty of different things to bounce around in. It keeps things fresh, and constantly adds to your resume!
So yes we infantry kinda get the short stick on careers,but there are some great opportunities out there if you look hard enough.
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SPC Todd Rhoades
I highly disagree sir, the "trigger pullers" , as you refer to us line dogs, leave the military with an education that REMFs could never understand. Although our MOS doesn't directly cross over to many civilian careers, the lessons in teamwork, adaptivity, awareness of self and surroundings, physical and mental toughness and the one I feel is most important, the deep understanding that you can't lead from behind. These qualities that are drilled into you until they become part of your personality, are exactly the traits that employers want in management personnel. I have been working in the civilian world for 25 years now, and that education on how to be a leader and problem solve, has advanced my status further than any technical education that money can buy. All the knowledge in the world is useless if you don't know how to react when the shit hits the fan. I have met a lot of educated idiots in 25 years and have generally been in charge of all of them.
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Some of the leading MOS's, AFSC's, Ratings would have to be Contracting, Air Traffic Control, Contracting, Medical, Non-Destructive Inspection, Linguists, Aircraft Maintenance, PSYOPs, EOD, Social Actions, Cyber and Information Technology. If one were to acquire the appropriate civilian certifications for these specialties while they were on active duty they would be employed immediately upon ETS!
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1LT (Join to see)
I did the Air Force version of 68A (4A251) and was offered a job with Philips Electronics within months of completing training.
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1LT (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see) - 4A251. It was my last AFSC in the Aur Guard before getting out in 05. Joined the Army Guard last summer to become a maintenance officer
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CSM Richard Welsch
SFC Jack S.
It was a typo what I meant was a 68W
The reason I'm saying 68W The individual will have a much better chance and have the opportunity to grow if The individual has an opportunity to grow or invited to tryout for an elite group like The Unite 18D.
It was a typo what I meant was a 68W
The reason I'm saying 68W The individual will have a much better chance and have the opportunity to grow if The individual has an opportunity to grow or invited to tryout for an elite group like The Unite 18D.
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Prior to my ORANG service, I was 11B and 94B. I wised up and switched to AFSC 62250, it helped me get a few jobs. Can't believe that was 25 yrs. ago
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